The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Monday, January 01, 2018 12:43 PM
STARNES: Washington Community Shames Itself By Taking Down Flag Off Town's Historic Rock Face Because It Was "Offensive"
For more than 10 years, local residents have decorated a rock wall with American flags and POW flags – a reminder of the price that many of our countrymen have paid to keep our nation free.
Recently, someone complained to King County leaders about the sign – saying the patriotic display was “offensive.”
So, last week a King County road crew took down the display – tearing flags off the rock face.
Well, that decision did not set well with the flag-waving patriots of Preston. Hundreds joined a Facebook page urging King County to restore the memorial.
"One person says they don't like it, and they take it down. I don't understand," one resident told television station Fox 57. "We live in the United States of America. This is our flag. Why is it offensive?"
But instead of standing down as their elected leaders desecrate the veteran’s memorial, local residents decided to fight back – by rebuilding the memorial.
"People were really, really upset about this," another resident told the television station.
Fox 57 reports that county officials want to find a new location for the memorial – because "signage and displays can create a visual distraction that may cause drivers to look away from the roadway."
“And as for the display's content - officials say making allowances for some would make other displays harder to ban,” the television station reported.
I salute the brave men and women of Preston, Washington – patriots all. And I have no doubt that on Election Day they will send a message to the lawmakers who gave the order to remove Old Glory.
And I have a message for the unpatriotic snowflake who was triggered by the red, white and blue. If the American flag offends you – I’ll be more than happy to provide you with a one-way ticket to Iran, Syria or the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. And I’ll even help you pack